Guide to Adoptions: Should You Work with an Adoption Agency or an Adoption Attorney?

Adoption is an incredible journey, but it can also feel overwhelming when you’re first getting started. One of the biggest decisions you'll face early on is whether to work with an adoption agency or an adoption attorney. Each path has its own advantages and challenges, depending on your circumstances and the type of adoption you’re pursuing.

To help you make an informed decision, we’ve outlined the key pros and cons of each option. Understanding these differences can help you move forward with confidence as you take the next steps toward growing your family.

Adoption Agencies: Full-Service Support, Higher Costs

Adoption agencies offer a structured, full-service approach that includes everything from legal assistance to emotional support for both birth and adoptive parents. However, this level of involvement comes at a higher cost and may involve longer wait times.

Pros of Adoption Agencies:

✔ Financial Assistance for Birth Parents – Agencies can help cover pregnancy-related expenses like rent, utilities, and maternity clothing, reducing the financial burden on birth parents.

✔ Comprehensive Counseling Services – Many agencies provide counseling for birth parents before and after the adoption, as well as support for adoptive families.

✔ Pre-Adoption Training – Adoptive families typically complete 8 hours of training, covering topics like infertility grief, birth parent perspectives, and adoptee emotional needs.

✔ Matching Services – Agencies help connect adoptive families with birth parents, taking care of the process of finding a child for adoption.

Cons of Adoption Agencies:

❌ Higher Costs – Agencies provide a wide range of services, which means their fees are often higher than those of an attorney-led adoption.

❌Less Control Over the Process – Agencies have strict guidelines and protocols, which means adoptive parents may have less flexibility in decision-making.

❌ Longer Wait Times – Finding the right match can take time, and the process may be longer than a private adoption.

❌ Eligibility Requirements – Agencies may have specific requirements related to age, marital status, or family background that could limit some prospective parents.

❌ You still need an Attorney – An attorney is still needed to draft the orders to make the adoption final. Oftentimes agencies will be working with their preferred attorney to finalize adoptions. This will potentially add even more costs to the process.

Adoption Attorneys: A Direct, Flexible, and Legally Secure Option

If you’re looking for a more streamlined, cost-effective, and legally focused adoption process—especially if you already have a child in mind for adoption—working with an adoption attorney may be the right path for you.

Pros of Adoption Attorneys:

✔ More Affordable – Since attorneys focus solely on the legal aspects, the overall cost of adoption is usually lower than with an agency.

✔ Direct and Flexible Process – With fewer agency-imposed requirements, you have more control over the timeline and specifics of your adoption.

✔ Private Adoptions Possible – Attorneys handle independent private adoptions, allowing families to move forward without agency guidelines.

✔ Expert Legal Guidance – Adoption attorneys ensure that all legal steps—like termination of parental rights and finalization—are done properly to avoid complications down the road.

✔ Quicker Finalization – Since there’s no required training or counseling through an agency, legal adoptions may be finalized more quickly.

✔ Greater Autonomy in Decision-Making – You’re not restricted by agency policies, meaning you can work with an attorney to tailor the adoption to your family’s needs.

Cons of Adoption Attorneys:

❌ No Financial Assistance for Birth Parents – Adoptive families must cover any necessary costs for birth parents, such as medical or counseling expenses.

❌ No Adoption Matching Services – Attorneys handle the legal process but do not help you find a child for adoption. You must already have a child in mind.

❌ No Built-In Counseling or Emotional Support – While attorneys ensure the legal process is smooth, they do not provide emotional counseling for birth parents or adoptive families. However, families can seek these services separately if needed.

Which Adoption Path Is Right for You?

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to adoption. If you need assistance finding a child to adopt, require financial aid for birth parents, or want additional emotional support, an adoption agency may be the right choice.

If you already have a child in mind, want a more direct and cost-effective process, or prefer more control over your adoption, working directly with an adoption attorney could be a better fit.

At Sims & Purzer, Attorneys at Law, PLLC, we focus on the legal side of adoption, making sure every step—from terminating parental rights to finalizing your adoption—is handled securely and professionally. Whether you choose to go through an agency or work with us for a private adoption, we’re here to ensure your adoption is legally sound and stress-free.

If you're considering adoption and want to understand your options, contact us today to learn how we can help you bring your family together.